My Original Swami Test

If you haven't nerve and a little personality and showmanship and the belief that you can do it and fool them, don't try it or you are sure to get hit.

The effect: You use one small card, one small envelope and one pencil and nothing else in any way. The card and envelope is examined and initialed; you write something on card, seal in envelope, and place in full view, it never going out-of sight an instant. A number of three figures is called and any color. The mark on envelope is identified, it is opened, card removed and on card which bears marks you had written the exact number and also color and everything can be given away for souvenirs.

Don't work too close to audience, but stand back about eight or ten feet. Have card and envelope examined and marked with the pencil (about two and a half inches long) and returned to you. You hold card and pretend to write but do not write anything, immediately dropping pencil into right trouser pocket. Hold envelope in left hand, flap up and face of envelope towards spectators. Put the card in envelope, from spectators' view but it goes down behind envelope, being held by left thumb, and envelope is lifted to tongue and flap moistened.

As the flap is bent down with right hand the forefinger of left pushes card out at top so flap goes down behind it and right thumb and forefinger are drawn back and forth across envelope, one on each side, to seal flap. The envelope is now held between the two hands, thumbs of each hand at back holding card up against it and forefingers at front. Now releasing the side held by right fingers and left hand comes over towards wrist of right and leaves envelope and card in palm of right, the envelope still at front and hiding card. The right is held out so envelope can be plainly seen for a second while talking.

Now left fingers and thumb come back and pick up envelope at same end as before and bring it out to the same position as at first between thumb and forefingers of both hands but the card has been left in right palm. Try this and you will see how easily the card stays because of its stiffness. Left hand holds envelope up in full view while right with palmed card drops to belt for a second and then to right trouser pocket, where you grab pencil. You have the number called out just before you hold in the air and all attention is drawn to envelope as you repeat. The card in pocket is written on with pencil and this number is put down. You never look anywhere but at envelope and audience. Now have the color, and you write that on card under number. Now bring out the card palmed and rest on belt for a second or two then bring envelope down and grasp between two hands as before, but only for a second, bringing envelope into right palm also as before and right here calling attention to fact that you wrote something on card before you started, taking envelope out of right palm as before, but this time with card behind and then grasping from top with right thumb and fingers. left tears off the end at left. Now pinch this end between thumb and forefinger of left hand and take this new grip with right. Thumb at bottom, second and third fingers at top and first curled up at back, holding card to envelope, the first finger of left goes into envelope while thumb goes behind and card is apparently withdrawn and handed to nearest spectator.

Remember--keep talking and especially when first putting card in envelope do it casually and remark about sealing up card Instead of talking about putting it in envelope. Don't despise this and say Impossible because I know better.